JV Lady Tigers Runner-up
In Limestone Tourney

by Jennifer King

The Ardmore Junior Varsity Girls' Basketball Team played two very intense back-to-back games last weekend. On Friday night Ardmore defeated West Limestone 24-20 in the semi-finals, to advance to the finals on Saturday. The Lady Tigers were up against Elkmont in the championship game, a big rivalry for the two teams. Elkmont rolled past Ardmore to pick up a 50-38 win to capture the county championship. Ardmore ended their season with a winning record of 10-7.

Ardmore 24

West Limestone 20

Ardmore trailed 5-0 at the end of the first quarter, but quickly bounced back to pick up eleven points in the second period of play. The Lady Tigers entered the half with a lead of 11-7. Aarika Boggs led Ardmore through the first half with six points, as Callie Steadman and Brittney Brown each hit a basket, and Callie Bryant a free throw.

Each team continued to battle for the lead throughout the third quarter. With 0:52 left on


Junior Lady Tiger Aarika Boggs (30) gets off a shot from three-point range as teammates Callie Steadman (22) and Christina Covington, right, move into position in the paint during Ardmore's win over the Junior Lady Wildcats. (photo by Joe Stagner)

the clock the score was tied 11-11. Brittney Brown was sent to the free throw line with 0:12 and picked up a point for Ardmore, ending the quarter with a 12-11 advantage.

The fourth quarter was a very intense time for both teams, as the lead bounced back and forth the entire period. With 1:55 left in the game, Callie Steadman stole the ball and passed it to Brown who picked up a lay up for Ardmore to jump ahead 17-16. Ardmore fouled and sent West to the free throw line to pick a point to tie the game back 17-17. Ardmore picked up six consecutive points off of lay ups to hold a 23-17 lead with 32:1 on the clock. Smith hit a three-pointer for the Lady Wildcats with 24:0 remaining, to come within three points of the lead. West regained control of the ball after Ardmore stepped out of bounds. West missed the opportunity to score and in return sent Ardmore's Callie Bryant to the free throw line to pick up a point. Ardmore played cautious defense in the remaining seconds of the game, to pick up a 24-20 victory.

Elkmont 50

Ardmore 38

Ardmore had their sights set on a county championship on Saturday, but their dream was short lived as the home standing Elkmont Lady Devils ran away with a 50-38 victory. The Lady Tigers played with courage and determination as they played one of their best games of the season, but Elkmont's offense was unstoppable.

Elkmont's offense was on fire in the first quarter as they took a big 16-6 lead over the Lady Tigers in the first quarter. Courtney Pettus and Callie Byrant each hit a three-pointer for Ardmore. McNatt led the Lady Devils with six points.

The Tigers continued to run with Elkmont in the second quarter as they held Elkmont to ten points, and picked up seven of their own. Boggs led Ardmore with three points, while Pettus and Steadman each added a basket. Bailey Robinson led Elkmont through the quarter with four points. The Lady Devils led 26-13 at the half.

Ardmore continued to play well both offensively and defensively in the third quarter of play, but Elkmont continued to play impressive as well. Pettus and Bryant each racked up five points for Ardmore, while Brown, Steadman, and Boggs each added two. Robinson and Bentley led Elkmont with six points each. The Lady Tigers entered the final quarter of play trailing 44-29.

Ardmore played an outstanding second half, outscoring Elkmont 25-24. The Lady Tigers came within twelve points of Elkmont's lead with 4:22 remaining on the clock, but this was as close as the Lady Tigers could get. Steadman picked up four points for Ardmore, as Pettus hit a three pointer. Boggs and Brown each hit a free throw for Ardmore. The Elkmont Lady Devils won the county tournament with a 50-38 victory over Ardmore.

Ardmore 0 11 1 12 24

West L'stone 5 2 4 9 20

Ardmore (24) _ Courtney Pettus 2, Brittany Brown 7, Aarika Boggs 8, Callie Bryant 2, Callie Steadman 5, Christina Covington, K.C. Jones, Kasey Gowan, Taylor Haney, Megan Brown, Brandi Crumbley.

West Limestone (20) _ Downs 2, S. Smith 7, Taylor 6, Tyler 2, L. Smith 3.

Three-point goals: West Limestone 2

Elkmont 16 10 18 6 50

Ardmore 6 7 16 10 38

Elkmont (50) _ B. Pressnell 9, O. Pressnell 2, B. Robinson 13, D. McNatt 8, S. Bentley 11, A. Roberson 3, M. Tucker 2.

Ardmore (38) _ Courtney Pettus 13, Brittany Brown 3, Aarika Boggs 6, Callie Steadman 8, Callie Bryant 8, Christina Covington, K.C. Jones, Kasey Gowan, Taylor Haney, Megan Brown, Brandi Crumbley.

Three-point goals: Ardmore 5, Elkmont 1